TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)--Florida educators are hoping they're wallets will be a little thicker next year.
"Our teachers deserve pay increases they've gone several years without a pay increase," said Jackie Pons.
The proposal is now on the table after Governor Rick Scott called for a $2500 across the board pay increase for teachers.
Its a move budget workers say would be historical for the state.
Jackie Pons, Superintendent for Leon county schools says the $2500 dollars divided by three years would be about an extra $800 per year in teachers pockets
"This is something I think they deserve they've earned and hopefully it'll come to pass and it'll be approved," said Pons.
Although the members of the Board of Education showed full support of the increases they still questioned whether or not to raise pay for teachers based on merit or give them a one time across the board increase despite performance.
Either way, Education Commissioner Tony Bennett says the governor's proposal shows the state is headed in the right direction.
"The governor was very thoughtful in showing how this investment is consistent with building a base toward performance based pay that will be implemented in the future as well as recognizing Florida's teachers for the outstanding work they've done," said Commissioner Bennett.
Bennett said it'll be an issue they'll be working on throughout the legislative session.
"That's all in the legislative proposal and I know that's one thing we will be working on again I think the governor was very thoughtful in terms of making sure the associated cost of this raise was included in his budget recommendations."
